External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed concerns over the ongoing tensions between India and China, stating that the situation has not benefited either nation.
Speaking at a panel discussion on Monday evening, Jaishankar addressed the strained India-China ties, and the need to reduce forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and uphold existing agreements.
“I think it is in our common interest that we should not have that many forces on the Line of Actual Control. I think it is in our common interest that we should observe the agreements that we have signed. And, I believe that it is not just in common interest, I believe it is in China’s interest as well. This tension that we have seen for the last four years has not served either of us well,” Jaishankar said.
The Foreign Minister asserted India’s commitment to seeking a fair and reasonable resolution to the border dispute, one that honours previously signed agreements and acknowledges the LAC without attempting to alter the status quo.
“The sooner we resolve it, I genuinely believe it is good for both of us. I am still very much committed to finding a fair, reasonable outcome. But one which is respectful of agreements recognises the Line of Actual Control and doesn’t seek to change the status quo. That, I think, will be good for both of us,” he stated.
The remarks come amidst a nearly four-year dispute between India and China at certain friction points in eastern Ladakh following the clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020.
India and China have engaged in multiple rounds of diplomatic and high-level military talks to resolve the standoff, without much breakthrough. Both sides have agreed to maintain “peace and tranquillity” on the ground.
Asked about his views on “offers made from the Chinese side in the past” to resolve the border issue, and whether there was any scenario where he could think that this could actually be resolved, the minister said, “Any country involved in a boundary dispute negotiating, it has to believe â€æ there has to be a solution.”
In response to a question, Jaishankar ruled out there was “any correlation” between India’s policy towards the US and Russia and China’s ever-deepening friendship.
“If Russia and China have become closer that is not an issue … that is not a doing of India. That may or may not be a consequence of the situation in which Russia finds itself in vis-a-vis the West … Our policy towards Russia has been very fair, very objective,” he added.
The Minister also said India “never closed doors to talking to Pakistan”, but the terrorism issue should be “fair, square at the centre of the conversation”.
When asked if there could be a conversation with the Pakistani military, he said, “It doesn’t work that way. It is not that we choose between this and that.”
“As I said, we have never closed our doors to talking to Pakistan â€æ but the terrorism issue should be fair, square at the centre of the conversation. It is the major issue â€æ I am not saying there are no other issues. But I am not going to duck that issue for the sake of talking,” Jaishankar said.